Combination package and shopping bag handle



, c. E. SCHULTE COMBINATION PACKAGE AND SHOPPING BAG HANDLE July 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 29, 1951 M w m RJ W J y 1954 I c. E. SCHULTE COMBINATION PACKAGE AND SHOPPING BAG HANDLE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 29, 1951 Patented July 27, 1954 COMBINATION PACKAGE AND SHOPPING BAG HANDLE Charles E. Schulte, Chicago, Ill. Application September 29, 1951, Serial No. 248,970

4 Claims.

This invention relates to handles designed for use in connection with the cords of wrapped packages and also the cord handles of Shopping bags. More particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in such handles affording a universal removable handle for carrying either packages or shopping bags.

In the transporting or carrying of packages or shopping bags, heretofore it has been the custom for the carrier to grasp the cords and thereby support the weight of the package or the contents of the bag. The disadvantages of such a method of transportation are readily apparent when consideration is given to the fact that the weight supported tends to cause the cords to cut and bruise the hands of the carrier.

Recognizing the undesirability of such a method of transportation, various handles have been introduced which were intended to be attached to the cords, thereby affording a supporting means. Heretofore, however, all of these handles have had at least one disadvantage in that they were adapted for use in connection with one type of parcel wrapping or in the alternative, they were adapted only for use in connection with shopping bags. It is therefore readily apparent that there has existed a long felt need for a universal handle which may be utilized not only for packages, cord-wrapped in various patterns or configurations, but which also may be utilized for carrying shopping bags of the type in which loop of cord comprise the handles.

It is therefore an important object of this invention to provide a handle which will overcome all of the disadvantages herein-above set forth.

Another object is to afford an all purpose removable handle adaptable for all types of cordwrapped packages as well as cord-handled bags.

A further object is to provide a handle which will relieve the fingers and hands of the carrier by preventing the cutting and bruising thereof by the cords of the packages or bag.

Yet, another object is to afford a handle which will tend to retain the cord handles of the loaded shopping bag in close proximity to each other, thereby relieving the strain of the fingers and hands which would otherwise be utilized for this purpose.

Yet, a further object is to afford a handle which will assist in more evenly distributing the weight of the package between the two handles. An object relating thereto is to prevent the separation of the handles from the bag which would otherwise result from uneven distribution of the Weight.

Still another object is to provide a handle which will minimize the frictional wear on the cord handles of shopping bags.

Still a further object is to provide a removable handle for use in connection with shopping bag handle cords so constructed that lateral slipping or displacement is prevented. An object relating thereto is to provide means in the handle which will tend to wedge the cords therein.

Yet another object is to provide auxiliary means in a replaceable handle for retaining the handle on the bag cord when the bag is deposited on a supporting surface and the hand of the carrier is removed therefrom.

Still a further object is to aiford a handle for use in connection with cord wrapped packages or shopping bag handles which will reduce the disintegration of the cord occasioned by the action of perspiration thereon.

And a final object is to afford a replaceable handle, universal to all types of cord wrapped packages and shopping bags, of simple inexpensive light-weight construction, yet durable and effective.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understood that various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details of the structure may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, my invention, its mode of construction, as sembly and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference are employed to indicate corresponding or similar parts throughout the several figures of the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a handle embodying the principles of my invention with portions broken away to illustrate certain features of construction and shown in operational position on the handles of a shopping bag;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation view of the handle illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of line 33 in Fig. 1 of the drawings;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of said handle;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view partially in section showing the handle in operational position on a package wrapped with but a single length of cord;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the handle illustrated in operational position on a package wrapped with two parallel lengths of cord spaced apart one from the other;

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of the handle illustrating another method of associating the handle with the cords of a package wrapped similarily to that shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view illustrating a locking device for retaining the handle on the cords of a shopping bag;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the same locking device taken on the plane of line 9-9 in Fig. 8 of the drawings and viewed in the direction in dicated; and

Fig. 10 is a. sectional view similar to Fig. 9, but illustrating another embodiment of the handle locking device.

Referring to the drawings in detail reference numeral l2 indicates generally a handle having a body portion M of generally arcuate shape.

The particular shape may be varied but that illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings is believed to be most desirable because it permits convenient, comfortable but effective grasping by the hand of the carrier.

The body portion [4 may be formed with a central groove 56 extending arcuately throughout the length of the body portion. The bottom of the groove it is formed with a pair of depressions i3 and 28. These depressions are shaped to afford acute angular crevices such as 22 and 24, the function of which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The side walls 26 and 28 of the groove iii are thinned out in the end portions thereof as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings at 30 and 32. The depressions l8 and 2G are likewise flared. out to diverge in these end portions as illustrated in Fig. 6-of the drawings at 34 and 35. This particular flaring of the depressions l8 and is provided so that the ends of the bag handle cords 33 and 48 may be accommodated therein; thereby insuring more effective positioning of the handle.

It will be noted that as the weight of the contents of the bag B is brought to bear on the handle, the cords 38 and 40 are wedged thereby within the acute crevices 22 and 24 of the depressions i8 and 28. This insures the immovable positioning of the handle on the cords and prevents lateral displacement of the handle therealong.

The ends of the body portion M of the handle I2 are formed to afiord means for associating the handle with the cords of cord wrapped packages. Accordingly, the body portion M has integrally formed at the ends thereof, horizontally disposed segments $2 and 44 which terminate in hook portions '56 and d8 as shown in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings.

Pairs of angular grooves are formed in spaced relationship in the body it as shown at 50 and 52 in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings. Each of the pairs of the grooves 58 and 52 are horizontally disposed and aligned one with the other. The

these depressions.

4 function of these grooves will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Similar pairs of angular grooves 54 and. 56 are provided with their major axes disposed in vertical planes in the segments 42 and M. The functions of these grooves will likewise be disclosed as the description proceeds.

The hooks 46 and 48, whichare shaped in the form of hammer claws, have formed in the ends thereof angular grooves such as 58 and 60 respectively. The function of these grooves will likewise be disclosed when the manner of associating the handles of the cords of the package described.

Attention is now respectfully directed to Figs. 5, 6 and '7 of the drawings. These figures illustrate the various methods in which the handle may be associated with the cords of the package P. Fig. 5 illustrates the method employed when the handle is affixed to a single cord 62. It will be noted that a portion of the cord 62 is first positioned in the end groove 58. Another portion of the cord is then threaded through the horizontal groove 50 positioned on one side of the handle [2 and the cord is then threaded through one of the horizontal grooves 52 positioned on the other side of the handle i2, and then passed through the end groove 6-9. Upon grasping the handle and lifting the package, the weight tends to force the cord into wedging relationship within the vortexes of the various grooves. Again such action insures the retention of the cord within the grooves and thereby the handle in immovable association with the package P.

Fig. 6 illustrates a method of associating the handle !2 with the cords of a package when said package is wrapped to afford two parallel lengths of cord 58 and iii spaced apart one from the other. As is illustrated in this figure, the cords are wrapped about the segments i2 and 44 with portions of the cords wedged within the grooves 54 and 55. This method also takes up the slack in the cord used to wrap the package.

In Fig. '7 of the drawings a method of association is shown in which the package is wrapped similarly to Fig. 6, but with the lengths of cords l2 and i4 spaced further apart. In such a case the cord segments are wedged within grooves and 64, provided at the apexes formed by the juncture of the hook portion 48 and the segment 42 and likewise by the hook portion 38 and the segment 44. Again the wedging relationship between the handle grooves and the cords is apparent.

oftentimes during the transportation of articles within a shopping bag, the carrier momentarily deposits the bag on a supporting surface. In such cases the handle cords might be released from wedging engagement within the handle groove and the replaceable handle fall off the cords. To prevent this I hav provided locking devices as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings.

In Figs. 8 and 9 the locking device comprises a bar 80 mounted on the inner end of a pin 82 with a handle or button 84 affixed to the outer end of the pin. By turning the button 85, the bar 80 can be turned from its normal position between the depressions i8 and 20 through a path of degrees so that it lies ath-wart the entrances to This of course retains the cords 38 and it within the depressions i8 and 20 so that the handle is thereby retained thereon. Toinsure effective action a flexed disk spring 86 may be mounted about the pin 82 between the bottom of the button 86 and an undercutwall 88 provided to better accommodate the button therein.

In Fig. another embodiment of a locking device is illustrated. Similar parts are designated by like numerals with an added sufiix a. In this embodiment oblique passages 90 and 92 are formed through the body wall [4a communicating with the groove 16a. Within each passageway 90 and 92 may be mounted a bell-crank 94 having an arm 96 protruding out of the outer end of its respective passageway and an oppositely posi: tioned arm 98 protruding into the groove Ilia from the other end of its respective passage. Each bell-crank 94 is pivotally mounted on a shaft such as I00 and spring urged as by a coil spring I02 to a position obstructing the entrances to the depressions [8a and 20a. This, of course, retains the cords within the groove depressions, thereby locking the handle [2 on the cords.

When it is desired to remove the handle, the carrier merely presses his finger against the looking device arm 96 in a direction to cause the bell crank 94 to pivot about its axis I 00 until the inner arm 94 is moved out of operative position and to the position shown in dotted outline in Fig. 10. The entrances to the depressions Mia and 20a are thereby opened to permit the cords 38a and a \to be removed therefrom. Although only two embodiments of a handle locking device have been disclosed hereinabove, it should be understood that any suitable locking device may be utilized without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

From the description and drawings, it should be evident that I have provided a simply constructed universal removable handle which may be utilized either as a package carrier or may be associated with the cord handles of a shopping bag resulting in a more convenient carrier handle for such devices. It should be understood that the materials of construction may vary including such materials as wood, plastics, leather, hard rubber, light weight metals and the like. Preferably the materials should have some inherent resilience so that the wedging action will be more positive and the strain on the hand of the carrier will be minimized.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly, and many of its advantages should be readily understood from the foregoing without further description, and it should also be manifest that while preferred embodiments of the invention has been shown and described for illustrative purposes, the structural details are nevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A combination package and shopping bag handle adapted for removable association with lengths of cord, comprising an arcuate-shaped central body member having a groove formed longitudinally therein; said groove open at its upper end and terminating in outwardly-branching bottom crevices of substantially angular cross-section adapted to wedge therein lengths of cord comprising the handles of the shopping bag, horizontally disposed segments integrally tt'ormed with the ends 01 said central body memher, upwardly extending hook members formed integrally at the outer ends of said horizontally disposed segments, and locking devices mounted on said handle for retaining the cords within the groove in the body member, said locking device comprising a bar pivotally mounted for closing the entrances to said crevices, and a button mounted on the outside of said body member and operable to pivotally turn said bar.

2. In a carrying handle for removable association with lengths of cord, an arcuate shaped central body member having a longitudinally extending groove opening to the top of said body member, said groove terminating in a pair of outwardly branching bottom crevices defined by walls, portions of said cords adapted to being positioned in said crevices, portions of said handle formed with passages communicating with said groove, and at least one spring-urged clamping member positioned in said groove, the inner end of said clamping member protruding into said groove and having means for clamping portions of said cords against the walls of said crevices in immovable relationship, and the outer end of said clamping member protruding out of said handle and comprising actuating means.

3. The handle of claim 2 in which said clamping devices comprise a pair of bell-cranks mounted within said passages, each of said bell-cranks having an arm protruding out of each end of said passages, the inner protruding arms spring-urged to normally block the entrances to said crevices.

4. A combination package and shopping bag handle adapted for removable association with lengths of cords, comprising an arcuate-shaped central body member having a longitudinal extending groove formed in the upper portion of said body member, said groove defined by side walls, said longitudinal groove flared outwardly at its ends to define the ends of said side walls, said longitudinal groove formed with outwardlybranching bottom crevices defined by converging side walls, said bottom crevices diverging outwardly to its outer ends, portions of said body member formed with a pair of obliquely disposed passageways communicating between said longitudinal groove and the outer surface of the handle, a pair of bell-cranks mounted one within each of said passageways, each of said bell cranks having an actuating arm protruding out of said passageways, an inner arm thereof protruding into said longitudinal groove, and springs normally urging said inner arms in a direction to clamp said cords against the walls of said crevices in substantially immovable relationship.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 290,514 Baden Dec. 18, 1883 1,218,859 Hess Mar. 13, 1917 1,460,354 Carver June 26, 1923 2,023,098 Poyer Dec. 3, 1935 2,448,894 Laus Sept. 7, 1948 2,470,316 Miller May 17, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 191,923 Great Britain Jan. 25, 1923 

